Flexible-speed power-transmitting device.



PATBNTED JULY 39, 1906.

P. F. RICE. FLEXIBLE SPEED POWER TRANSMITTING DEVICE.

APPLIGATIOH FILED APR. 10. 1905;

5X Ii UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented an 10, zoos.

when, its April 19, mos. seen He. 254,737.

said elements to revolve or oscillate freely without revolving or oscillating the other element or 'for driving one element from the other, so that the elements move at different s code, the ratio of speed between the two' e ements having a range from minimum to maximum with any given 8 eed of the drivfigxplement, it being possib e to produce an itemgmber of speeds of the driven element with respect to any given speed of the driving element rangin from the stationary point of the driven e ement to maximum speed of the driven element when it works in unison with the driving element; and the main ob'ect of the invention is to provide a device o the character described for accom plishing these rotatin gears and attendant clutches and to crop oy positively-operatingmechanism which is sin-1p strength and durability, and which affords piossiblc speed extreme fiexibilit E115 ch is 31132513? V vmg all ratios within the ts, and w tible'of the finest adjustment or regulation for securing various eeds and which who acting as a clutch with both rotating; ments operatingbin unison as a singfe' re ment produces a solutely no friction and operates positively; and which when adjusted to allow the driven element to remain etc-er tionary will permit the driviiig'felersent to operate with the eateat freedom;

- Another object is. to provide a device of the character described which may be constrnct ed at a. very low cost, another object being to rovidc for readily taking up or compensatmg for wear of the parts. 7

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following dcscri tion.

The accompanying gr invention, and referring thereto- Figure 1 18 a side elevation of the device, the controllingvalve being shown in trans with the shaft 1.

functions without the use of is in construction, of great;

" 'position of the cam. It

f points of the swings illustrate the verse section, together with the sleeve of the X K, Fig. 1..

a The driving element in the present embodiment comprises a shaft 1, while the driven element comprises a shaft 2, arranged in line Rigidly mounted on the shaft 1 is a fly-wheel 3 which has four redially-arrah ed cylinders 4, cast, preferably, integral wit the rim thereof and projecting inwardly Arranged within each cylinder 4 is a piston 5, com rising a guiding member 6 and a head 7, the atter being"'sferewed to the guiding member with a cup-shaped packin 8; arranged between the two members 6 an 7. The two members of the piston are preferabl hollow in order to minimize weight, and t e member 7 is cut away on one side to form a recess. The uidin member 6 carries a'roller 10, the exlsof w 'ch lies pa allel with the shaft 1.

Rigidly fastened to the driven shaft 2 isle sleeve 12, which carries a cam 13, the contour of which is substantially heart-shaped and against the periphery of which the our rollers 10 beer. The contour of the cam 13 is such that the lengths of the dotted lines c 5 c d c f, which pass throng'h the axis upon which the cam 13 revolves, are the same. the distance ,between the o posits points of the cam against which t e two 7 members of either pair of opposite rollers 10 bear is always the same irrespective of the is found that for this urpose a heartFshaped cam is required, the ienletral distance between opposite faces or cam beingalweyfsthe same, or, m other words, all diameters of the cam being equal or the cam being of equal diametral extension throughout, t e diameters being taken senses passing through the center 0 rotation of the cam and extending to the hearing-feces of the cam at each side.

' Owing to the general eccentricit of the cam 13, a veriant stroke is secured etween the two pairs of rollers and pistons when the cam 13 moves relatively to the flywheol 3. Thus when 'es shown in Fi 1, the'rolier A stands closest to the axis 0 "the cam 13 the roller C stendsfarthesitaws j from the axis of the cam, whiiereiiersi sn D eachstand at Venus; distances from the axis of the cam Thns'when the rollers B and D driven element. Fig. 2 is a section on linebear against the points of the cam intersected by the line f the said rollers will respectively stand closest and farthest from the axis of the cam, while at that time the rollers A C will res ectively stand at intermediate distances iiom the center, and when the cam stands at any other position with respect to the rollers (although none of the rollers may stand in either extreme position with relation to the axis of the cam) a constant distance is always maintained between the rollers A C and between the rollers B D.

Each cylinder 4 is provided with a port 14, near the outer end. Carried by the fly-wheel and arranged at one side of the axis thereof is a controlling-valve 15, comprising an outer casing 16, having four ports 17, each of which communicates, through a pi e 18, with the port 14 of a cylinder 4. ested within the casing 16 is a revoluble shell 19, havin four ports 20. The shell 19 is suporte by a hollow stem or sleeve 21, which is iieyed to a shaft22, the shaft 22 extending through the casing 16 and through a suitable stuffing-box 23 and carrying on its end an arm 24 with an inclined face.

A bracket 25 is mounted on the casing 16,

and between the bracket 25 and the arm 24 is a coil compression-spring 26, which resiliently presses the arm 24 against a conical sleeve 27 which is loosely mounted on the sleeve 12 and which may be shifted longitudinally along the sleeve 12 by a fork 28, having studs 29, which engage in a groove 30, formed in the sleeve 27, the fork 28 being operated by any suitable mechanism. (Not shown.)

Carried by the fly-wheel 3 is a small 0 lindrical reservoir 31, which is connected y a pipe 32 with one of the pipes 18. Within the cy inder 31 is a piston 33, having a cupped Washer 34, and swiveled to the piston 33 1s a screw 35, which is threaded through the head 36 of the cylinder 31. By turnin the screw 35 the piston 33 may be advance or retracted within the cylinder 31.

A late 37, which is attached to the flywheel: incloses the cam 13 and protruding parts 6 of the piston 5, which are thus protected from injury and dust is excluded, and the inclosed parts run in oil, which affords the necessary lubrication.

The space within the cylinders 4 back of the istons isfilled with a non-compressible fluid such as oil 38, which likewise fills all of the pipes 18 and thespace within the valve 15, the cylinder 31 also containing an extra amount of fluid which is in direct communication with the fluid in the ipes 18.

It is obvious that when t e valve 15 is set so that the ports 17 are entirely closed it is impossible for the oil to circulate there through from one cylinder to another and that therefore the pistons 7 will be locked against outward movement by the oil within t e cylinders, and therefore as the fly-wheel 3 revolves it will cause the cam 13 to rotate in unison therewith, as the cam 13 is securely locked by the rollers 10.

By shifting the conical sleeve 27 along the sleeve 12 the arm 24 may be locked, which will turn the shell 19 and open the ports 17, which will allow the oil to circulate through the valve and will cause the shaft 2 to rotate slower than the shaft 1, the rollers 10 as they ride over the cam 13 moving the istons 5 back and forth and causing the oi to flow from one cylinder to another. Obviously if the cam 27 is moved in to throw the lever 24 clear over, so that the ports 17 are fully opened, the oil will be allowed to freely circulate through the valve, and thus as no opposition will then be afforded to the movement of the pistons the cam 13 and shaft 2 will remain stationary, although the flywheeil and shaft 1 may be revolving at any spec By adjusting the sleeve 27 to partially close the ports 17 the rate of movement of the pistons will be restricted to the speed with which the oil can pass through the valve, and therefore if there is a load on the shaft 2 the cam 13 will be restrained to a s eed at which it is permitted to move the rol ers 10, with attached pistons, back and forth. It is apparent that the valve can be so regulated as to produce in this manner any desired ratio 0 speed between the driven shaft and drivin -shaft.

As t e oil in its circulation travels through the pipes 18, which are exposed and whirlin rapid] throu h the air with the fly-whee the oi is 000 ed and revented from overheating. While the 011 cannot escape from its re lar channels, the supply may be replenis ed if necessary b screwing in the screw 35, which is adjuste inwardly until'the oil completely fills the space in the system of cylinders and piping. This device is also used in filling the system with oil, the cap 36 being removed and the oil oured into the cylinder or chamber 31 until the oil fills the entire system and part of said cylinder 31, the ca 36 and the adjusting devices 35 33 34 carried thereby being then inserted and the part 35 being then screwed in to adjust the volume of the chamber until the piston 33 34 has pressed the oil into tight contact with all parts of the confining-space. The shape of the cam 13 is an important feature, as the movement of thepistons must harmonize to maintain a constant capacity of oil-s ace, the operation of the pistons being a ternate, complementary, and mutually compensat ing v hat I claim is 1. A driving element, a driven element, cylinder and piston members connected to t e respective elements, said cylindersbeing connected to form a confining-space for liquid, and; means for causing relative operation of the cylinder and piston members to vary the cagacity of certam parts of the confinings ace ut to maintain a constant capacity of t e confining space as a whole, a chamber in connection with said confining-space, and means for adjusting the capacity of said chamber. 7

2'. A driving element, a driven element, a plurality of cylinders carried by one of said ele ents, connectionsbetween said cylinders, Y to arm a confining-space for liquid, pistons plementary operation of said istons to circulate the fluid from one cylin er to another,

but to maintain a constant volume of the liquid-confinin space a chamber communicating with sai cylinders, and means for adjusting thecapacity of said chamber, comprising a screw device working in said cham- 4. A driving element, a driven element, a plurality of cylinders carried by one of said elements, connections between said cylinders to form a liquid-confining space, pistons in said 0 lindcrs, a cam connected to the other 05 sai elements to cause alternate and complementary operation of said 'mtons to circulate the fluid from one cylin er to another, but to maintain a constant volume of the liquid-confirm space, a chamber communicating with said cylinders, and means for adiusting the capacity of said chamber, com-v rising a screw device working in said cham- 5. A driving element, a driven element, a plurality of cylinders carried by one of said elements, connections between said cylinders to form a confining-space for liquid pistons in said cylinders, means connects to the other of said elements to cause alternatea'nd complementary operation of said pistons to circulate the liquid from one cylinder to another, but to maintain a constant volume of liquid-confining space, a chamber commumcating with said cylinders, means for ad 'usting the capacity of said chamber, and ad'- 3ustable valve means for restricting and con-' trolling the circulation of said liquid.

6. A drivingelement, a driven element, cylinders carried by the driving element, means communicatin ith the cylinders for confining a liquidan allowinga circulation thereof, a cam carried by the driven element said cam being heartsshaped and having all its diameters of equal lengthand a piston in each cylinder coo crating with the cam.

'3'. A driving e ernent, a driven element, cylinders carried by the driving element, means communicatin with the cylinders for confining a liquid an allowing a circulation thereof,'said confining means comprisin a cylinder, a iston workin in said cylin er and means or adjustin t e position of said piston to reduce the con ill] space in accordance with the volume of the iquid, a cam carried by the driven element, a iston in each cylinder cooperating with t e cam, and means for regulating the rate of circulation of the li uid.

I 8. H driving element, a driven element, cylinders carried by the driving element, means communicatin with the cylinders for confining a liquid and allowing a circulation thereof, a cam carried by the driven element, a piston in each cylinder cooperating with the cam, means for-regulating the rate of circulation of the liquid, and means for replenishing the li uid comprising a chamber having a closab e opening and piston means working in said chamber to ad ust the volume of the space within the chamber.

9. A driving element, a driven element, cylinders carried by the driving element, means communicatin with the cylinders for confining a liquid an allowing a circulation thereogsaid means including a chamber and a insists? adjustable therein to vary the volume of the space within the chamber, said means being ex osed, thereby cooling the liquid, a cam carried by the driven element, the diametral extension of the cam being equal throughout the cam and apiston in each cylinder cooperating with the cam.

10. A driving element, a driven element, cylinders carried by the driving element a piston in each cylinder, a roller carried by each piston a cam carried by the driven element and bearing against said rollers said cam being of sulzistantialg 7 extension throughout, a pipes placing the cylinders in communication. 1

'11; A driving element, a driven element, cylinders carried by the driving element a piston in each cylinder, a roller carried by each piston a cam carried by the driven element and bearing against said rollers said cam being of substantially "equal diametral extension throughout, pipes acing the cylinders in communication, an a valve for regulating the passage of liquid through the pipes.

12. A driving element, a driven element, cylinders carried by the driving element a piston in each cylinder, a roller carried by each piston a cam carried by the driven element and bearing against said rollers said cam being of substantially equal diametral equal diametrai extension throughout, pipes placing the cylinders in communication, a valve for regulating the passage of liquid through the pipes, a lever connected with the valve, and a conical sleeve on the driven element for operating said lever.

13. A driving element, a driven element, cylinders carried by the driving element, a piston in each cylinder, a roller carried by each piston, a cam carried by the driven ele ment and bearing against said rollers said cam being of substantially e ual diametral extension throughout, pipes p acing the cylinders in communication, a valve for regulating the passage of liquid through the pipes, a lever connected with the valve, a conical sleeve on the driven elem ent for operating said lever, a bracket carried by the driving element, and a spring between the bracket and said lever for resiliently holding the lever against the conical sleeve.

14. A driving element,- a driven element, cylinders on one of said elements radially arranged diametricall opposite each other, a piston in each cylin er, and a card carried by the other element and cooperating with the pistons, said cam being heart -shaped and of substantially equal diametral extension throughout.

15. A driving element, a driven element, cylinders on one of said elements radially arranged diametrically opposite each other, a piston in each cylinder, a cam carried by the other element and cooperating with the istons, the contour of said cam being such t iat diametrically opposite istons are always maintained a constant istance apart, irrespective of the position of the cam.

16. A driving element, a dIlVGHBlBlIlGnt, cylinders on one of said elements radially arranged diametrically opposite each other, a piston in each cylinder, a cam carried by the other element and cooperating with pistons, pipes connected with the cylinders, a valve connected with pipes for controlling the passage of liquid through the pipes, a supplycylinder carried by the driving element and communicating with one of said pipes, a piston in the latter cylinder, and means for moving the latter pistonv 17. A driving-shaft, a fly-Whecl with a sleeve rigidly attached to said shaft, a driven shaft, a sleeve ri idly attached to the driven shaft, a cam on t e latter sleeve, said cam being of equal diametrical extension throu hout, cylinders formed integrally with the wheel, a piston in each cylinder cooperating with the cam, pipes connected with the cylinders, a valve for controlling the passage of fluid through said pi es, a chamber connected to said pipes, and aving a removable cap and a screw device in said chamber for adjusting the volume thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Los Angeles, California, this 4th day of April, 1905.

PERCY F. RICE. In presence of GEORGE T. HAOKLEY, R. A. HEFFNER, 

